Technology and philosophy

Wednesday, June 24, 2026

"Nothing at All": Why Hongkongers Can't Afford Collective Apathy

A charity showing of Herman Yau's newest movie prompts thoughts about exclusion, fairness, and societal duty in Hong Kong

Invited by a close friend, I was honored this past Saturday to attend a charitable film event organized by SideBySide, an independent nonprofit community organization.

The movie selected for the occasion was We're Nothing At All a newly launched emotional film directed by experienced filmmaker and writer Herman Yau Lai-to.

Although he is well-known for his commercially successful works, Yau does not hesitate to address social problems in his movies.

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Cinema enthusiasts are likely to recall his earlier creations, including The Untold Story (1993), Ebola Syndrome (1996), From the Monarch to the Head of Government (2001) and Whisper and Moans (2007), each focusing on various popular societal issues of that era.

His newest movie begins with a heartbreaking bus explosion in the center of town on Valentine's Day, when a double-decked vehicle detonates, killing numerous passengers.

A former forensic specialist, Lung (portrayed by Patrick Tam Yiu-man), is called upon to head a police inquiry regarding a fatal explosion. With help from a younger officer named Raymond (acted by Wong You-nam), Lung's examination uncovers the personal histories of two young individuals, Fai (performed by Anson Kong Ip-sang, a member of the boy group Mirror) and Ike (played by singer Ansonbean), each dealing with their own challenges in life.

Keeping the essence of the original message intact but using different wording: This compelling film delves into complex issues like familial disapproval, household violence, financial hardship, exclusion, societal bias, and unfair treatment through the captivating relationship between Fai and Ike, without revealing key plot points.

The movie concludes with its main musical number, God Blesses Us (By Candy Lo), prompting the audience to reflect deeply.

In the discussion following the screening, Yau mentioned that the film's title was deliberately designed to allow for multiple interpretations. He was accompanied by Tam and Ansonbean, who discussed with the viewers their understanding of the roles they portrayed and the lessons they learned from participating in this demanding project.

The conversation continued to examine ways to increase support for underrepresented groups. Justice Poon Siu-tung, chairperson of the executive committee at SidebySide, urged every part of society to minimize stereotyping and discrimination, and to demonstrate greater respect towards those surrounding them.

Individuals involved in our criminal justice system will recognize the efforts of SidebySide throughout the years.

Founded in 1957, SidebySide highlights the significance of providing empathy and assistance to individuals who are marginalized or rejected by society. It offers various recovery programs for those involved with the legal system, former offenders, or other at-risk, susceptible populations, with the objective of improving their quality of life and achieving successful return to the community.

Apart from recovery programs, its offerings now include aspects like societal integration, psychological well-being, skill enhancement, cultural diversity promotion, and awareness campaigns.

Regarding public education, a particular acknowledgment should be given to SidebySide's Mock Trial Justice Education Program.

By participating in simulated court trials, held consistently since 2007 with assistance from legal experts and backing from educational institutions, individuals—such as high school pupils—are assigned positions like prosecutors, defense attorneys, accused persons, and eyewitnesses.

This allows them to develop a deeper comprehension and respect for the rule of law, the idea of fairness, unlawful actions, and community obligations.

Returning to the movie, one striking scene shows these words painted on a wall inside their modestly equipped converted apartment where Fai and Ike reside: "When there is an avalanche, no snowflake is innocent."

This particular scene is believed to be influenced by a well-known saying from the Polish-Jewish poet Stanislaw Jerzy Lec: "No snowflake in an avalanche ever feels responsible."

A typical understanding of this phrase suggests that during a widespread crisis, each person blames others, believing their individual role was too small to have made a difference.

As the camera moves downward, the inscription on the wall states: "On this lovely day, we conclude our less-than-lovely existence."

There is no question that this remains just as relevant now. Numerous disasters might have been prevented if all individuals had accepted their responsibilities and put in more effort. A key lesson I've drawn from We're Nothing At All Is it possible that if each person takes greater efforts to prevent widespread indifference, our society would certainly transform into a more pleasant place to reside?

Eugene Yim SC once served as an honorary secretary and financial officer for the Hong Kong Bar Association, and he specializes in civil litigation.

"Legal Tales" is a weekly feature written by senior figures from the Hong Kong Law Society, offering their insights on contemporary issues.

Canada Targets Under-16 Social Media Use, Introduces AI Regulations

The suggested approach might result in businesses being charged as much as 3 percent of their total worldwide income or $7.2 million if they fail to adhere.

The Canadian cultural minister announced on Wednesday new laws aimed at prohibiting individuals younger than 16 from accessing social media platforms and mandating artificial intelligence-based conversation systems to restrict creation of damaging material.

The newly introduced Digital Safety Act positions Canada as the most recent nation joining a global trend of implementing stricter regulations against social media companies due to worries about their impact on young people.

"we have witnessed the severe impacts that online dangers can cause... ensuring children's safety must not be overlooked," stated Culture Minister Marc Miller in a declaration introducing the plan.

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The law would prohibit social media accounts for individuals below the age of 16, according to the statement, which also mentioned that there could be an exception "route" for businesses if they prove "adequate protections" for young people.

Online social media platforms, such as those offering explicit material, would be required by the legislation to "reduce dangers linked to exposure" to different types of damaging information and implement tags for artificially created content.

The final rules will be implemented by a Digital Safety Commission, which could impose penalties on non-compliant businesses amounting to 3 percent of their worldwide income or C$10 million (US$7.2 million).

"This law aims to create a more secure setting for young Canadians, enabling them to meet face-to-face, form relationships, concentrate on their studies, and develop practical abilities needed to succeed," stated Health Minister Marjorie Michel in a press release.

Professor Sachin Maharaj from the University of Ottawa described the plan as "a move in the correct direction," highlighting "an acknowledgment that social media relates to behavioral and societal challenges."

Clearly, children will discover ways to bypass" limitations, he stated. "However, the true difficulty lies in altering how the applications function.

Besides the social media restriction, the new legislation would also oversee ever-present AI chatbots by mandating businesses to "reduce the likelihood of the chatbot sharing damaging information."

Firms would also be required to maintain openness regarding "reporting limits during emergencies," for instance, when a user plans to cause self-harm or endanger someone else.

The matter has been especially delicate in Canada after a tragic incident in April resulted in nine fatalities in the remote mining community of Tumbler Ridge, with the perpetrator among the victims.

OpenAI encountered significant backlash following its decision to block a shooter from its service in June of last year due to concerning discussions on ChatGPT. However, the company chose not to inform Canadian authorities as it found no indication of an immediate threat.

In December, Australia made history as the first nation globally to mandate that platforms like TikTok, YouTube, Snapchat, and others delete user accounts belonging to individuals under 16 years old, with significant penalties for non-compliance.

Indonesia started implementing its own restriction on social media usage for individuals below 16 years old in March, as some European countries have expressed interest in taking comparable actions.

Mainichi Quiz: Why Are Companies Ditching Document Checks for One-on-One Chats?

How well have you been keeping up with developments in Japan? Take the Mainichi News Quiz from June 11 to assess your understanding of current events. Are you ready?

What prompted Rohto Pharmaceutical Co. to switch from document review to face-to-face conversations when recruiting new graduates?

A) Due to an increase in application submissions generated using generative AI, assessing students' uniqueness has become more challenging.

B) Due to the company's desire to lower travel expenses by decreasing virtual interviews and consolidating hiring processes in Osaka

C) Due to requests from universities, the company was instructed to cease using academic transcripts and instead focus solely on employee recommendations.

D) Due to a lack of personnel in regional offices, the final interview arrangements were postponed.

Click this link for the solution

Sam Altman Meets Samsung and Kakao in Seoul Visit

Sam Altman, the chief executive of OpenAI, is set to arrive in South Korea on Sunday, the 14th, for a brief stay spanning one night and two days. This will be his first visit in eight months, following his previous trip in October. After Jensen Huang, CEO of NVIDIA, recently made a stop in the country where he engaged in discussions about physical AI with several firms, Sam Altman's upcoming visit has sparked assessments that South Korea's impact within the worldwide technology sector continues to increase.

Throughout his brief trip, Sam Altman is set to present an internal talk at Samsung Electronics and hold discussions with Kakao about broadening their AI partnership. Altman is expected to leave on the evening of the 15th.

As per the technology sector, Samsung Electronics is completely implementing three artificial intelligence platforms — ChatGPT, Gemini, and Claude — throughout its business activities, with the broadest implementation of ChatGPT Enterprise. This prompted Sam Altman to visit Samsung Electronics directly for a presentation. An insider in the tech field mentioned, "Of the three AI tools utilized by Samsung’s DX (finished product) department, ChatGPT sees the greatest use. All worldwide staff within the DX unit utilize ChatGPT, approximately 50% employ Gemini, and Claude is accessed solely via APIs."

Sam Altman will subsequently meet with Kakao's leadership team, such as Representative Chung Shin-a, to explore enhancing AI cooperation. In February of last year, OpenAI and Kakao established a strategic alliance centered around incorporating ChatGPT into Kakao's primary services. At this gathering, both parties anticipate concentrating on improving the connection between KakaoTalk's conversation environment and ChatGPT.

Altman is also expected to engage with local businesses utilizing ChatGPT Enterprise and discuss matters with companies involved in AI infrastructure. Nevertheless, he is not likely to meet with Lee Jae-yong, chairman of Samsung Electronics, or Chey Tae-won, chairman of SK Group. Lee is presently traveling for business purposes in Europe, and his schedule does not coincide with that of Chairman Chey.

Veteran Power Boosts High-Flying Japan's Soccer Ambitions

NASHVILLE, Tennessee - Following surprising victories over Brazil in October and England in March during friendly matches, expectations for Japan have risen to an unprecedented height before their previous seven World Cup tournaments.

However, their veteran players showed no intention of relaxing at their base camp in Nashville on Wednesday as they practiced diligently before Japan's opening match in Group F on Sunday against the Netherlands, another established strong team.

I completely grasp that friendly matches and the opening game of the World Cup are entirely different things," stated 34-year-old defender Shogo Taniguchi. "We will work collectively and keep making adjustments right up until the final moment when studying our rivals.

Japan securing their fifth consecutive World Cup team, 39-year-old Yuto Nagatomo referenced the painful experience of being eliminated during the group stage at the 2014 event in Brazil under coach Alberto Zaccheroni.

"For those four years, everything went well, defeating Argentina, France, and Belgium in the process, but ultimately realizing that what we believed was confidence was actually excessive self-assurance," he stated.

Prior to the competitions held in South Africa (in 2010), Russia (in 2018), and Qatar (in 2022), we faced challenges, and it's typical for people to come closer together during tough times. I believe we require that unity right now.

The Japanese squad managed by Hajime Moriyasu has openly expressed their ambition to go all the way, and 25-year-old full-back Yukinari Sugawara, who is poised for his World Cup appearance, feels the team's distinctive structure will benefit them greatly.

Besides Maya Yoshida and Takumi Minamino, the two veteran players still with the team even though they are not listed to participate in the competition, former Japanese legends such as Makoto Hasebe and Shunsuke Nakamura are present to offer useful guidance as part of the coaching group.

"I believe this is the largest sports competition on Earth... From now on, teams making their tournament debut may experience something unusual as match days draw near. It will be crucial for us to get into top condition, utilizing every available resource, including our experienced veteran players," Sugawara stated.

EV Charging Discount Drives 9.2% Usage Surge

The reduction in public charging costs for electric vehicles (EVs) during daylight times on weekends and holidays last spring led to a 9% rise in charging instances relative to before the discount was introduced. The initiative sought to promote EV charging during spring afternoons, when solar energy production is significant, thereby making use of excess power. Having demonstrated success, the government intends to implement the identical strategy again this fall.

On the 11th, the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment revealed details about the "Spring and Autumn Weekend/Public Holiday Free EV Charging" initiative. This promotional offer lasted for 17 weekends and public holidays starting from April 18 through May 31, with discounts available between 11 AM and 2 PM. Within this timeframe, electric vehicle owners who utilized charging stations managed by the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment along with the Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) were eligible for reductions ranging from 40.1 to 48.6 South Korean Won per kilowatt-hour (kWh).

As per the ministry, about 13,000 public charging stations managed a cumulative total of 79,114 charge events throughout the promotional phase. The overall discount value amounted to 75.46 million South Korean won. On an average day during this time, there were 4,654 charging instances, representing a rise of 9.2% compared to the previous daily mean of 4,261 sessions.

The discount was launched alongside the seasonal and time-dependent electricity pricing changes that began in April. It formed part of a trial aimed at increasing energy usage during spring weekend afternoons, when solar production is significant yet demand remains low, resulting in regular excess supplies. Taking into account these findings, the government intends to bring back the reduced fees for public electric vehicle charging stations between September and October, as surplus solar power is anticipated once again.

Tony Elumelu Named Chairman of Seplat Energy

Tony Elumelu has been chosen as the upcoming Chairman of Seplat Energy. He will take over from the present Chairman, Senator Udoma Udo Udoma, starting in January 2027, marking a fresh phase of leadership as the company advances along its path of expansion and evolution, according to a statement from the board.

The board has additionally named Engr. Effiong Okon as Chief Executive Officer starting from 1 August 2026. These board updates were revealed in an announcement submitted to the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX), which was signed by the company secretary, Edith Onwuchekwa, on Tuesday, complying with the exchange's regulatory standards.

Mr. Elumelu serves as the Founder and Chairperson of Heirs Holdings, a prominent pan-African investment company, which has stakes in key areas of the African economy such as energy, electricity, banking, insurance and financial services, technology, property and tourism, and medical care.

He is also the leading advocate and originator of Africapitalism, an economic ideology that promotes harnessing Africa's capabilities via sustained investments in critical areas that enhance living standards and reshape the continent.

Currently, Mr. Elumelu holds the position of Chairman at Transcorp Group, which is Nigeria's biggest publicly traded conglomerate. Its affiliated companies consist of Transcorp Power, a major generator and provider of electrical power in Western Africa, and Transcorp Hotels Plc, recognized as Nigeria's top hotel chain. Additionally, he leads the UBA Group, a wide-ranging African financial institution.

The newly appointed Chief Executive Officer, Engr. Effiong Okon, is a seasoned executive boasting more than 35 years of international industry experience, along with a strong history of achieving operational success and implementing effective strategies.

He has extensive knowledge of the organization, having joined the Company in 2018. He began his tenure on Seplat’s Board as Operations Director for four years, later transitioning to the role of New Energy Director, and more recently acting as Managing Director of ANOH Gas Processing Company ('AGPC'), where he effectively oversaw the project's implementation leading to the achievement of first gas in January 2026.

With Seplat moving into its next stage of expansion, Elumelu's extensive resources...

expertise in corporate governance, institutional development, and sustainable growth will provide significant insight as the company enhances its standing as a robust, internationally competitive energy entity.

Supplied by SyndiGate Media Inc. ( Syndigate.info ).